Common Diseases of the Horse 183 



by Col. Fred. Smith, and known as " Smith's operation," is by far 

 the best remedy. It consists in sawing grooves down and through 

 the wall of the hoof, just without the limits of the sidebone, from 

 the coronet to the sole. The latter is then separated from the wall, 

 the result being that the portion of horn bounded by the sidebone 

 becomes perfectly loose and movable, and pressure upon the sensi- 

 tive parts is relieved. After the soreness of the operation, which 

 disappears in three or four days, is over, the horse is fit for work, 

 and in a week or so is perfectly sound. 



This operation requires considerable skill, and all antiseptic 

 precautions must be taken, or very serious consequences in the 

 shape of abscesses in the foot will ensue. 



Firing and blistering after the sidebone is complete are useless 

 as well as cruel. They may be sometimes very slightly beneficial 

 in hastening the process of formation, but as all efforts should be 

 directed to relieve pressure, one fails to see how other methods can 

 benefit. In light horses, frog and bar pads are useful, as they bring 

 the frog into play. With a good foot charlier shoeing may be 

 tried. 



Navicular Disease 



This is a condition in which the small bone known as the 

 navicular, or shuttle bone (situated behind the coffin bone), be- 

 comes diseased. In addition to this, one of the tendons, commonly 

 alluded to as the " back tendons ", passing at the back of the 

 cannon bone, and finally inserted on to the coffin bone, is also 

 implicated. In its course inside the foot this tendon passes under 

 the navicular bone, which acts as a lever, but it is separated from 

 actual contact by an oil sheath, or bursa, which supplies oil to 

 reduce the friction. This also shares in the disease. 



Various causes have been discussed; the only one, however, 

 on which there is unanimity of opinion is that of heredity. Rheu- 

 matism is stated by some to be responsible, whilst prolonged rest, 

 fast work in heavy shoes, injury to the frog by a stone becoming 

 impacted in its structure and setting up an inflammation which 

 extends upwards, compression, bad shoeing, &c., are blamed by 

 others. 



The disease is found most frequently in well-bred horses and 

 those that are about five years of age and upwards. It seldom 

 occurs under this age or in coarser-bred animals. It is very rare 

 in cart horses. The fore limbs are invariably affected, and no case 

 is on record of the hind being affected. The class of feet prone to 

 suffer are those described as donkey feet, i.e. narrow feet with long 



